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To maintain all of your driving privileges in the state of Florida, it's important that you understand how the point system works so you can maintain a clean driving record.

The FL
Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles is responsible for keeping track of point violations on your Florida driving record.

How the FL Point System Works

In Florida, many of the common traffic infractions are given a number value, recorded as “points." These points are given so that if you receive multiple infractions within a given period of time, some or all of your driving privileges may be lost.

The number of points you receive for each infraction depends upon the severity of the violation.

Licenses suspension parameters and time periods are as follows:

12 points within 12 months―30 days.

18 points within 18 months―3 months.

24 points within 36 months―1 year.

Other infractions
that may result in an automatic suspension of your license include:

Failure to pay child support.

Drug or alcohol-related offenses.

Failure to pay traffic violation fines.

Street racing.

FL DHSMV Point System for Teens

For teen drivers, penalties may be more severe. Infractions that could restrict your driving privileges include:

An extension of your learner's permit for a traffic conviction, for either:

1 year.OR

Until you turn 18 years old.

A restricted license (to be used for business purposes only) if you receive 6 points within 12 months.

This restriction lasts for 1 year OR until you reach 18 years old.

Earning any more points while your license is restricted will result in a restriction extension of 90 days per point.

A suspension for 6 months suspension for blood-alcohol levels of 0.02% or more.

Applies to all individuals under the age of 21 years old.

Repeated unexcused absences from school.

Could result in a license suspension until you can provide proof of 30 days of consecutive attendance.

A suspended license for convictions related to the possession of tobacco or nicotine.

Only applies to individuals under the age of 18 years old.

Common Point Infractions in Florida

Common infractions that may result in points against your FL driver's license are as follows.

Speeding:

Up to 15 MPH over limit: 3 points.

Over 15 MPH above limit: 4 points.

Resulting in an accident: 6 points.

Driving with an open alcohol container: 3 points.

Child safety restraint violation: 3 points.

Littering: 3 points.

Fleeing the scene of an accident with property damage over $50: 6 points.

Reckless driving: 4 points.

Collision resulting from a moving violation: 4 points.

Passing a stopped school bus: 4 points.

How long
points remain on your driving record depends on the severity of the violation. In most cases, you can expect infractions to remain on your record from 3 to 5 years. However, more serious infractions could last 10 years or longer.

You can order a copy of your
Florida driving record to find out how many points you currently have, and whether you are in danger of suspension.

FL Traffic School Requirements

For some traffic violations, you may be required to take a state-approved
driver improvement course. In some cases, you may also be able to offset points added to you driving record.

Which traffic school course you need to take may also depend upon the
nature of the offense. The categories of driver improvement courses in Florida are:

Basic driver improvement.

Needed for most infractions, such as:

Reckless driving.

Speed Violations.

Passing a stopped school bus.

Collisions in which you were found to be at fault.

3-in-3 driver change course.

Required if you've committed 3 violations that caused a crash within 36 months

Includes behind-the wheel training and an assessment.

Advanced driver improvement.

Required for individuals with a suspended license or by court order.

For non-DUI offenses.

Please note that violations related to
DUI may require separate programs for reinstatement. You may also only take traffic school 5 times within your lifetime, and no more than 1 time within 12 months.

If you hold a
commercial driver's license (CDL), you are not eligible for a driver improvement course to remove points from your record.